Egypt's Islam El Shehaby declines to shake hands with Israel's Or Sasson after losing Friday during the men's over 100-kg judo competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

(Newser)
–
Tensions in the Middle East appear to have spilled over into the Rio Olympics, as an Egyptian athlete refused to shake hands with an Israeli athlete following a judo match Friday, Reuters reports. After winning the match, Israel's Or Sasson bowed to Egypt's Islam El Shehaby and went to shake his hand. Instead of shaking hands, El Shehaby quickly backed away from Sasson as the crowd booed. (Video here.) According to Deadspin, El Shehaby is known to have anti-Israel views and had considered not even fighting. Muslim athletes have refused to compete with Israeli athletes in the past. Neither El Shehaby nor Sasson commented on the incident after the match.

FYI: "Olympic officials said Monday an Egyptian judo athlete has been reprimanded and sent home after refusing to shake his Israeli opponent’s hand. The International Olympic Committee said Islam El Shehaby received a “severe reprimand” for his behavior following his first-round heavyweight bout loss to Or Sasson on Friday. When Sasson extended his hand, Shehaby backed away, shaking his head. The referee called the 34-year-old Shehaby back to the mat and obliged to him to bow; he gave a quick nod and was loudly booed as he exited. The IOC said the Egyptian’s conduct “was contrary to the rules of fair play and against the spirit of friendship embodied in the Olympic values.” The Egyptian Olympic Committee also “strongly condemned” Shehaby’s actions “and has sent him home,” according to the IOC."

KDickley

Aug 13, 2016 12:55 PM CDT

Obozo the Ass Clown is soon to invite the racist muslim to the WH.

Brooklyn Ave.

Aug 13, 2016 12:35 PM CDT

Anyone ...team ...or country that refuses to compete against or show poor sportsmanship against another country should be banned from the Olympics!!! This is supposed to be SPORTS NOT POLITICS!!!